8 of Swords

Keywords & phrases

• Self-limiting beliefs
• Giving in to fear
• Blind submission
• Feeling trapped
• Mental trap
• Facing reality

First impressions

A straightforward hostage situation or something slightly more complex?

What is happening in the card?

In the 8 of Swords, we see a woman on a beach, arms loosely bound to her side and blindfolded, apparently trapped or fenced-in by 8 long swords that have been plunged into the ground around her.

She wears red robes, her hair is loose and flying in the breeze that blows from the sea.

The ground beneath her, wet sand, is far from solid. In the background we can see a castle on a cliff.

How does she find herself in this predicament? Who or what put her there? What’s keeping her there and how can she see a way out of it?

How can we relate to this card?

We feel the effect of the 8 of Swords in our lives when we are feeling trapped and can’t see a way forward. But is she really trapped? Her bindings are loose and the swords, planted in sand, do not have her completely surrounded. 

Being of the element of Air, the 8 of Swords suggests that this experience is of the mind. A mental trap. She could leave if she put her mind to it. She would need to open her eyes to the truth of the situation.

The 8 of Swords asks us to face our fears and the limiting beliefs that we hold about ourselves, so often worse than actual reality, and set ourselves free. 

Message & affirmations

Today, I know that it through my own thoughts, beliefs and actions that I create my own reality, therefore, I choose to release any negative, limiting beliefs about myself. Beliefs that do not serve me. I am free.

My personal experiences of this card

The feeling of limitation that this card conveys is such a familiar one and the fact that the figure in the card is a woman seems unsurprising. My guess is that most women can relate to this card in some way. Most of us have been there.

And the negative internal voice can be quite loud and persuasive.

Trapped in a bad relationship but too afraid of the alternative? How hard it would be to leave and who else would love you anyway? Feelings of worthlessness and helplessness.

Trapped in an unfulfilling job and convinced that nobody else would ever employ you? Just keeping your head down lest they all realise what a fraud you are? Feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.

Like with the 2 of Swords, the hint of a large body of water beyond the borders of this card, is suggestive of the element of Water as represented by the suit of Cups. Thoughts and feelings are bound together here. And the result is a kind of paralysis.

When we consider some of the Tarot 8s together there is a theme of surrender running through them. Going with the flow in the 8 of Wands, letting go and releasing the past in the 8 of Cups and here in the suit of Swords we see someone who has surrendered to fear, insecurity and repression. Letting it rush in to overwhelm her like the tide. She is helpless…

She reminds me a little of those poor ‘defenceless’ women portrayed in the silent movies that would get chained to the railway lines by some dastardly villain only to be saved by some hero from the oncoming train and certain death. She is utterly at the mercy of the hero and the villain.

I rather suspect that chaining women to the track was not actually a thing. There are many easier, less imaginative ways to bring a woman down and to trap her without going to all that effort. Who is this ridiculous villain, anyway?

And, while we’re at it, who is this fictitious hero?

The 8 of Cards reminds me that I need to save myself… everyday. I am not helpless and I am not waiting for someone to save me.  Just as I can sometimes be my own worst enemy, I am also my own best hero.

I believe in myself.

Events, situations & readings

In a relationship spread:
Examine your relationship. How is the balance of power and how do you view yourself within it? It may be time to open your eyes and face the reality of your situation. This card could be a warning about the dangers of co-dependancy. It is a trap.

In a spiritual/personal development spread:
The 8 of Swords encourages you to identify and banish the self-limiting beliefs that may be holding you back.

In a work/career/business spread:
It may be time to be brave and step out of a role where you are feeling limited. Face your fears and self-doubt. Believe in yourself.

Reversed:
In reversal the 8 of Swords is suggestive of an inability or an unwillingness to face reality. 

People & interaction with other cards

With the Strength card, the 8 of Swords encourages you to draw on your inner strength, courage and discipline to face your fears and free yourself from the ‘trap’ you are in. What that trap might be would depend on the other cards surrounding. Cups would suggest relationship issues while Wands and Pentacles would indicate problems at work or in business that need to be faced.

Questions, prompts & insights

What negative beliefs do you hold about yourself? Where do they come from? Whose voice is that?

How do these beliefs serve you? And how do they damage you and hold you back?

How can you conquer and banish these thoughts in order to move forward?

How can you be brave and be your own hero, everyday?

Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot.